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July 27, 2006
"ASK THE EXPERTS" HEPATITIS B: NEW AND REVISED QUESTIONS ON IAC WEBSITE!

Read the recently revised, updated, and reformatted questions on hepatitis B available on the IAC website at http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2021b.htm The information in this revised section has been reviewed by CDC for accuracy and will be reviewed and updated every six months.

The question and answer format covers information on prenatal, perinatal, infant, childhood, adolescent, and adult hepatitis B issues. There is an extensive section on hepatitis B and the healthcare worker, as well as a section on chronic hepatitis B. Six tables are included in this material. These include: 1) an explanation of the various hepatitis serology tests and what the results of those tests indicate; 2) information on how to interpret the results of the various serology tests; 3) hepatitis B vaccine guidelines used for newborns based on the mother's HBsAg status; 4) hepatitis B immunization management of preterm infants weighing less than 2000 grams; 5) recommended doses of currently licensed hepatitis B vaccines by age group; and 6) information on hepatitis B postexposure prophylaxis.

This extensive document contains answers to many questions that have been asked frequently by our readers. It is IAC's hope that this information will assist you in your work to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B virus infection in the United States. Review the IAC "Ask the Experts" web section for other diseases at: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2021.htm
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(2 of 10)
July 27, 2006
UPDATED: IAC REVISES ITS "SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADULT IMMUNIZATION" AND THREE OTHER ADULT IMMUNIZATION PIECES

[The following is cross-posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, July 24, 2006.]

In July, IAC revised four of its immunization education materials for healthcare professionals and patients. Following is a list of the updated materials; it explains the changes made and provides links to each.

For healthcare professionals:
1. The three-page chart "Summary of Recommendations for Adult Immunization" was revised to add information about the new vaccines to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes zoster (shingles) and to update information about influenza vaccines.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011b.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011b.htm

2. The one-page "How to Administer IM and SC Injections to Adults" was revised to add information about administering the new vaccines to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes zoster (shingles).

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2020A.pdf

For patients:
1. The two-page checklist "Screening Questionnaire for Adult Immunization" now has updated information on the following vaccines: MMR, varicella, nasal-spray influenza (LAIV), and pertussis-containing vaccine for adults (Tdap).

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4065scr.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4065scr.htm

2. The two-page checklist "Do I Need Any Vaccinations Today?" was revised to add information about the new vaccines to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes zoster (shingles) and to update information about the following vaccines: pneumococcal, Tdap, and MMR.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4036need.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4036need.htm
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July 27, 2006
COMING: CLINICAL VACCINOLOGY COURSE SET FOR NOVEMBER 3-5 IN ATLANTA

[The following is cross-posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, July 17, 2006.]

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases; the Emory Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases; and the Emory Vaccine Center are sponsoring a Clinical Vaccinology Course in Atlanta on November 3-5, 2006.

The course will provide the latest information on important developments in clinical vaccinology and the use of vaccines. The course is designed for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, vaccine program administrators, and other health professionals involved with the clinical use of vaccines. It will also present information of interest to public health officials involved in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

For more information, including the agenda and list of course faculty, go to: http://www.nfid.org/conferences/idcourse06 Online registration is also available via this web page. Alternatively, you can call (301) 656-0003, extension 19, for more information.
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(4 of 10)
July 27, 2006
READ SIGNPOST AND KEEP UP TO DATE ON GLOBAL INJECTION-SAFETY ISSUES

SIGNPOST, the weekly email newsletter of Safe Injection Global Network, contains numerous articles addressing the worldwide prevention of bloodborne pathogen transmission. For a recent issue, go to: http://uqconnect.net/signfiles/Archives/SIGN-POST00357.txt
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(5 of 10)
July 27, 2006
SENATOR RICK SANTORUM INTRODUCES NATIONAL HEPATITIS B ACT IN UNITED STATES SENATE

On June 22, 2006, Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced the National Hepatitis B Act (Senate Bill, S.3558) that calls for a comprehensive program in support of hepatitis B. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) is cosponsor of the bill. For more information, go to: http://www.hepb.org or http://santorum.senate.gov
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(6 of 10)
July 27, 2006
B INFORMED PATIENT CONFERENCE 2006 SUMMARY AND SLIDES NOW AVAILABLE

The Hepatitis B Foundation's 6th annual patient conference was held June 10-11 at the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University in California, and was another big success. Go to: http://www.hepb.org/patients/patient_conference2006.htm for a review of the conference including conference presentations.
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(7 of 10)
July 27, 2006
ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC. HAS WON FDA APPROVAL FOR THE FIRST TEST THAT BOTH SCREENS FOR AND CONFIRMS HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION

Read more at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01411.html
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July 27, 2006
REMINDER: CDC'S IMMUNIZATION UPDATE 2006 BROADCAST IS SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 10

[The following is cross-posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, May 30, 2006.]

The live satellite broadcast and webcast Immunization Update 2006 will provide up-to-date information on the rapidly changing field of immunization. Following is the anticipated course content: influenza vaccine, pertussis vaccine for adolescents and adults, revised recommendations for childhood hepatitis A vaccination, the new vaccines for rotavirus and herpes zoster, and possibly information about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Sponsored by CDC, the live broadcast is scheduled for August 10, from 9AM to 11:30AM ET. It will be rebroadcast later in the day from noon to 2:30PM ET. Both broadcasts will feature a live Q&A session in which participants nationwide can interact with the course instructors by toll-free telephone lines.

The course instructors are William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH; Donna Weaver, RN, MN; and Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH. All are with the CDC's National Immunization Program.

For comprehensive program information, go to: http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/PHTN/immup-2006/default.asp or email nipinfo@cdc.gov
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(9 of 10)
July 27, 2006
UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE HEPATITIS C AWARENESS EVENT (HEP FEST) TO BE HELD IN FLORIDA ON SEPTEMBER 3

Visit: http://www.heppalace.net/FL%20Fest%202006.htm for the most current information on this event.
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(10 of 10)
July 27, 2006
COMING! AAPI HEALTH SUMMIT 2006--SEPTEMBER 14-16

The Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum will host a special meeting on AAPI Health, including hepatitis B. The meeting will be held at the Marriott Hotel, San Jose, California. For more information go to: http://www.apiahf.org